NASSAU, The Bahamas — Recent graduates of the public and private secondary school systems were encouraged to “think outside of the box” and take advantage of the “myriad of new and wonderful opportunities for employment” – particularly those that exist in the internet/social media/technology fields.
Addressing secondary school graduates attending the third annual professional Edge Workshop – a programme that helps prepare graduates of both private and public secondary schools for the job market – Minister of Social Services and Community Development, Melanie S. Griffin, said the many advances in technology through the social media, and the diverse opportunities that exist as a result of those new technological advances, have created newer job opportunities for persons globally.
Mrs. Griffin said those new opportunities have allowed a large number of global citizens to become successful entrepreneurs. She said Bahamians have the capability to take advantage of those opportunities just as their global counterparts have done.
“Millions of people around the world work without leaving their homes,” Mrs. Griffin said. “The computers which you have grown up with and use everyday for social purposes, also allow you access to the world of work.
“Platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Google, while often used for socialising can also help you to land jobs and earn a salary. Unlike past generations, you have much greater control over your careers and your long-term success,” she added.
Mrs. Griffin said the Government of The Bahamas is committed to ensuring that the greatest number of employment opportunities exist for Bahamians. She said numerous small business opportunities exist in the technology/internet/social media field, when – combined with Government initiatives – will create even greater opportunities for more Bahamians through entrepreneurship.
Persons who think outside of the box, she said, have the opportunity to write their own ticket.
“Here are some realities for you to know now that you have graduated. Firstly, no one owes you a job. You will have to prove why you should get one over all the other persons out there in the job market,” Mrs. Griffin said.
“Secondly, the Government cannot hire everyone. I would venture to say that a significant portion of the work force is seeking ‘a government job.’ Thirdly, there are more than five thousand graduates each year in The Bahamas, more than two million in the United States of America and almost 100 million worldwide. In this global village in which we live, that means that there is a lot of competition for employment.”
This competition, Mrs. Griffin said, has driven entrepreneurship with persons using the social media and other “honest outlets” to create job opportunities for themselves and others.
“Unlike many other countries, The Bahamas is politically and economically stable with very little gender discrimination. This means that whether you are male or female you have an equal right to employment. Even better news is that there are many more platforms for you to use to earn an honest living,” she added.
She said research shows that career readiness, and/or a lack thereof, impacts social development.
“The aim of social development is to improve the availability of support systems in the community that prevent negative results before they occur,” Mrs. Griffin said. “In the context of this setting, there are some life skills you need to know to make life better for you, and you more successful in the workplace.
“When we talk about social development we are talking about a broad term that describes actions taken to build positive outcomes or results and prevent negative social outcomes or results that can adversely affect an individual or a community. These outcomes may range from crime, poverty, gang involvement, school drop out, teen pregnancy, addictions and substance abuse and even obesity and poor health.
“Basically, this definition then speaks to the positive things that you do to ensure you avoid many of the negative things that can happen in your life that hamper your success. You need to know that you can’t go on an interview chewing gum or answering your cell phone or texting and bbm-ing. You need to know that your appearance and your body language are just as important as your spoken words,” Mrs. Griffin added.
The Social Services Minister told the graduates that their successes or failures will be determined by “some old-fashioned values, skills and behaviour that will dictate whether you succeed or fail.”
“In fact, these often end up determining your success more than how smart you are, where you come from, how much money your parents have, your educational attainment or even who you know,” Mrs. Griffin said.
“Success does not fall into your lap, it takes hard work. Without a plan and without the ability to get things done, you will drift from one thing to the next, never forward or upward and worst of all, never in control of your own destiny.”
By Matt Maura
Bahamas Information Services
